英语听力：自然百科 坦桑尼亚：桑吉巴市

 For centuries, the winds of the Indian Ocean have brought explorers and merchants to the island of Zanzibar. Through rough seas and monsoon¹ weather, one ship has sustained² trade and travel, the Dhow.

 

At 150 feet, this is the biggest Dhow constructed on Zanzibar for some time. The Somalian merchant who commissioned it has waited for long years to see it finished. Built without plans or power tools, even the wooden hall is fastened together using the hard air roots of mangrove³ trees instead of nails. But the final product is a sailing ship tough enough to withstand the power of the Indian Ocean and the force of monsoon winds.

 

For as long as anyone can remember, constant winds have baffled⁴ the Swahili coast, the predictability of these winds made international trade possible, but it was the ingenuity⁵ of the Dhow’s design that made it practical.

 

There are dozens of different kinds of Dhow from every country boarding the India Ocean. But they all share one common feature, their sail. Traditional European ships depended on having the wind behind them, but the Dhow’s adjustable⁶ sail could be turned to catch the wind in any direction.

 

Swahili sailors love the chance to display their skills. Dhow races are the perfect opportunity. For the sailors of Zanzibar, these age-old ships continue to be at the heart of a rich maritime⁷ tradition.

 

1 monsoon   

n.季雨，季风，大雨

参考例句：

• The monsoon rains started early this year.今年季雨降雨开始得早。
• The main climate type in that region is monsoon.那个地区主要以季风气候为主要气候类型。

2 sustained   

adj.持久的，持续的v.维持( sustain的过去式和过去分词 )；支撑；忍受；长期保持

参考例句：

• Without correct leadership, the enthusiasm of the masses cannot be sustained. 没有正确的领导，群众的积极性就不可能持久。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• He has sustained a great loss by the death of his father. 他父亲的去世使他蒙受巨大的损失。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

3 mangrove   

n.(植物)红树，红树林

参考例句：

• It is the world's largest tidal mangrove forest.它是世界上最大的红树林沼泽地。
• Many consider this the most beautiful mangrove forest in all Thailand.许多人认为这里是全泰国最美丽的红树林了。

4 baffled   

adj.带有障板的，阻挡的v.使困难，使为难( baffle的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The question baffled me completely and I couldn't answer it. 这个问题把我彻底难倒了，我答不出来。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Her question has baffled me. 她的问题把我难倒了。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

5 ingenuity   

n.别出心裁；善于发明创造

参考例句：

• The boy showed ingenuity in making toys.那个小男孩做玩具很有创造力。
• I admire your ingenuity and perseverance.我钦佩你的别出心裁和毅力。

6 adjustable   

adj.可调整的，可校准的

参考例句：

• More expensive cameras have adjustable focusing.比较贵的照相机有可调焦距。
• The chair has the virtue of being adjustable.这种椅子具有可调节的优点。

7 maritime   

adj.海的，海事的，航海的，近海的，沿海的

参考例句：

• Many maritime people are fishermen.许多居于海滨的人是渔夫。
• The temperature change in winter is less in maritime areas.冬季沿海的温差较小。